Born into a Dao ethnic family in the mountainous province of Tuyen Quang, Vu Thu Hang knew early that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy.

But with determination and self-discipline as her compass, she charted a path that led her far from home - and into one of China’s most prestigious universities.

Now a third-year student majoring in Chinese Language Education at Shanghai University, Hang, born in 2004, still remembers every challenge she faced to earn a full scholarship abroad.

Her biggest motivation came from home.

Both her parents work in healthcare, and as a child, she often saw them tending tirelessly to patients, day and night.

“That image shaped my understanding of responsibility,” Hang recalls. “It made me realize I needed to live with kindness, study hard, grow as a person, and find ways to help others.”

In her 11th grade year, Hang discovered the Shanghai Government Scholarship - a highly competitive award. Driven by a love of Chinese language, she began to study independently, poring over books, podcasts, and online materials.

With no formal tutoring, she mapped out a strategy: understand the scholarship criteria, obtain recommendation letters, sit required language exams, and prepare a strong application - entirely on her own.

This journey happened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought delays, stress, and isolation.

“There were times I really thought I wouldn’t make it,” she says. “But whenever I wanted to give up, I reminded myself why I started: to step out of my comfort zone and see the world.”

That clarity of purpose kept her going.

In 2022, Hang’s efforts paid off. She was awarded a full scholarship by the Shanghai Government and completed a preparatory year at Shanghai Normal University.

That same year, she was honored by Vietnam’s Minister and Head of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs for her outstanding academic performance and personal development.

While her achievement brought joy, the transition was far from smooth.

Even with a solid foundation in Chinese, Hang struggled to understand native speakers in real-time, especially with regional dialects. Adapting took months of effort and mental resilience.

To keep herself on track, Hang imposed a strict study regimen and set detailed academic goals.

In her first year, she focused on reinforcing language skills and developing study techniques.

In her second year, she began pursuing research projects and joined academic activities.

Now in her third year, she is writing her undergraduate thesis, participating in real-world projects, and preparing for graduate studies.

At the same time, Hang teaches online Chinese tutoring sessions to gain experience in education - a field she hopes to enter full-time.

“My schedule is packed, and I do get tired,” she admits. “But what keeps me moving is my long-term vision and desire to explore the world.”

Studying abroad also shifted her perspective.

In China, she realized how technology and access to information could bridge vast geographical and social gaps. Inspired, she began exploring topics related to her homeland, especially poverty reduction and youth empowerment.

In 2023, she completed a comparative study on poverty alleviation policies in Vietnam and China, examining how those policies shaped economic development in rural areas.

Growing up in an under-resourced region, Hang understood the impact such programs could have. Her research received praise for its real-world relevance.

In 2025, Shanghai University selected Hang to expand this line of inquiry. She is now developing a project on digital transformation in rural poverty alleviation, aiming to build models that allow Vietnamese students to actively participate in community development.

Her project recently won second prize at the university’s 8th Student Academic Forum.

For Hang, these achievements are never just personal.

As a member of the Dao ethnic minority, she carries a deeper sense of responsibility.

“I’ve always felt that I’m not studying just for myself,” she says. “That thought keeps me grounded. It reminds me to study seriously, live responsibly, and never give up, even when things get tough.”

She hopes to pursue a master’s degree and become a university lecturer. But more importantly, she wants her research to take root in Vietnam - where it can help inform policy, boost development, and deliver practical value to ethnic minority communities.

“I believe that ethnic minority students shouldn’t limit themselves,” Hang says. “Where we come from doesn’t define where we can go. Every small effort brings us one step closer to our dreams.”

Thuy Nga